31st May 2016 A team from Environment Department under MEIDECC launched Tonga’s Environment Week yesterday, May 30 th with a tree planting activities at five high schools.

The theme chosen to mark this year’s Environment Week was “Conserve our native plants and animals”.

Acting Director of the Environment Department Mr Siosiua Latu stressed the importance of commemorating such week every year.

“It is important to mark this week every year so that people know the significance of conserving our plants and animals and also to look after our environment.”

The tree planting activities started at Lavengamalie College where students planted two Hehea trees. The activity aimed to demonstrate to the students the importance of conserving Tonga’s native plants.

The Environment Week will end on Sunday, June 5 th with a church service at the Church of Tonga, Pikula.

The programs for the rest of the week are as follows;

ENDS

Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

01st June 2016 The Lord Speaker of the Legislative Assembly today opened a two-day Budget Seminar for the Honourable Members of Parliament  to strengthen the effectiveness of members’ oversight and scrutiny roles in relation to the annual national budget and estimates.

It is envisioned that by the end of the two-day event, the scrutiny carried out by the Members of the Legislative Assembly will contribute to a budget that better meets the needs of the country and helps to safeguard financial stability.

In his opening remarks, the Lord Speaker Tu’ivakano thanked the Honorable Minister of Finance and National Planning and his staff for their tireless efforts which ensured the early submission of the Budget to Parliament this year.

He was optimistic that this will allow Members ample time to revise the Estimates so they are able to debate on budgetary policies, review executive performance and monitor progress from the last financial year, before the 2016/17 Annual Budget is promulgated.

Each session has been designed to enhance knowledge of the Budget documents, Budget process, budget cycle and their relationship with the Government’s Strategic Development Framework.

Today’s session focuses on helping parliamentarians understand their statutory roles in relation to the Budget and also its intentions. The sessions designed for day two aims to assist members to provide effective scrutiny of the budget and audit reports.

It is being made possible by the New Zealand Government through New Zealand Aid, working in partnership with the United Nations Development Program.

The Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Ms. Adele Plummer says this program is made possible as part of a NZD $3 million grant provided by the New Zealand Government for the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative. It is being implemented by UNDP to support the Parliaments of Tonga, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

It runs until tomorrow June 1, 2016 at Davina House in Nuku’alofa, prior to the State Opening of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, June 2^nd, 2016.

END

Issued by the Office of the Legislative Assembly of Tonga, Kingdom of Tonga

02nd June 2016 A one day workshop was held yesterday for Tonga on the Pacific regional data repository for the Sustainable Energy for All (PRDR SE4ALL) hosted by the Energy Division under the Ministry of MEIDECC in close collaboration with the SPC attended by key stakeholders at Tungi Colonnade.

The PRDR is a regional initiative that originated from Tonga-convened Pacific Leaders Energy Summit in March 2013. It is a many-partners- one-team approach that support and address the energy security challenges of the region with emphasis on documenting, sharing and storing up-to- date, reliable energy data, project information and experience.

Speaking in the Opening Remarks, Mr. ‘Inoke Vala of Energy Division says that this is to respond to PRDR and its linkages to state the challenges of having reliable and timely energy data and also to further discuss on the process we face here in Tonga.

“We convened this workshop with you, our key stakeholders to share awareness on the PRDR and its linkages to addressing the challenges of having reliable and timely energy data for proper policy and planning work. Furthermore to discuss on the institutional arrangements, data collection process, and data sharing issues we face here in Tonga.”

In September 2013, Tonga amongst 11 other Pacific Island leaders signed the declaration for establishing the PRDR during the sidelines of the 68 th UN General Assembly meeting. This was followed by the launching of the PRDR portal at the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) meeting in Samoa.

Since then, the PRDR initiative has further progressed with The Pacific Community (SPC) nominated as the permanent host of the portal in 2015. SPC has developed the portal, conducted consultation with energy data providers in-country, held national workshops & progress data sharing agreements to increase the buy-in support from the countries.

Mr. Vala also emphasized that the “portal not only provides a one stop shop for energy data and information for Tonga and the region but we can access accurate and reliable data and the ability to analyze and interpret those data for decision making and the formulation of energy policies are central to the effective participation of the PICTs in the global processes such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.”

Therefore this workshop provides them space for analyzing and discussing the sharing of information within themselves.

“It is important that we put together our efforts and share our data amongst each other and with the PRDR. If there are gaps and opportunities, I believe this workshop will provide space for further discussions and I encourage your active participation.”

The implementation of the first phase of activities covering the development of this portal (http://prdrse4all.spc.int/production/) links the Pacific to the global tracking of the SE4ALL initiative.

Country consultations includes Samoa, Tonga, Palau, RMI, FSM, Tuvalu, Kiribati, PNG and Vanuatu.

The Chairman of this workshop was Dr. Tevita Tukunga, Director of Energy Division.

Assistance from the World Bank is recognized in supporting this workshop.

END

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

1st June, 2016 The Ministry of Health launched a hard-hitting campaign highlighting the dangers of smoking around children on World No Tobacco Day this yesterday. 

Tuku Ifi Leva (Quit Smoking Now) will run for six weeks on TV, radio, press and Facebook throughout the Kingdom of Tonga, commencing 31^st of May 2016. The campaign, adapted specifically for Tonga, graphically shows the risks of tobacco use and the impact of deadly second hand smoke on children.

With 46% of men and 13% of women smoking, tobacco use in Tonga is among the highest in the world. Up to half of these men and women can be expected to die as a direct result of their smoking habits. Many more Tongans, including children and adults affected by secondhand smoke, will be left disabled by cancers, diseases, infections, asthma and other serious health complications caused by tobacco use.

Smokers motivated to quit by the campaign can receive advice and support from fully trained Ministry of Health staff through a newly established toll-free Quitline (0800 333).

Supporting campaign materials will also highlight Tonga’s new tobacco laws, which make a variety of public places such a bars, restaurants, markets, schools and kava clubs fully smoke free environments to protect the health of the public. The Ministry of Health’s Tobacco Control Unit will work with Tonga Police to deliver an enforcement blitz during the campaign to reinforce these important new laws.

The Tuku Ifi Leva campaign is delivered as part of The Tonga National Strategy to Prevent and Control Non-Communicable Disease 2015-2020 (The National NCD Strategy). The National NCD Strategy is based on the best practice principles for tobacco control outlined in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, ratified by Tonga in 2005.

Ongoing delivery of the National NCD Strategy, including the Tuku Ifi Leva campaign, is made possible through the support of the Australian Government, the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation (TongaHealth), and the World Health Organization.

END

Issued from the Ministry of Health. For more information contact Dr ‘Ofa Tukia, Medical Officer in Charge, NCD/Health Promotion Unit, Ministry of Health, Vaiola Hospital Email: o.tukia@gmail.com Phone: 23200 ext 1219

To access a Press Kit available to media outlets reporting on the Tuku Ifi Leva campaign, please visit: wwww.TapuIfiTonga.com

03 Sune 2016 Kuo´u tuku ‘a e fakafeta’i ki he ‘Otua Mafimafi he’ene tataki pea tau toe tu’uta lelei mai ki he ‘aho ni. ‘Oku laumālie lelei pē ‘a e ‘Eiki Sea, ‘Eiki Palēmia mo e Kapinetí, Hou’eiki Fakafofonga ‘o e Kau Nōpele, pea pehē ki he Kau Fakafofonga ‘o e Kakaí. Ko e pole lahi taha ‘oku tau fehangahangai mo ia ‘i he ngaahi ‘aho ni ‘oku lōtolu. ‘A ia ko e tu’unga ‘o e mo’ui lelei ‘a hotau kakaí, ko e ako ma’a ‘etau fānaú, pea mo e tu’unga faka’ikonōmika hotau fonuá.

‘Oku tautefito ‘a e tokangá ki he pole ‘o e tu’unga mo’ui lelei hotau kakaí, koe’uhī, kapau ‘e ‘ikai ke tau vete ‘a e faingata’a ko ení ‘i ha founga fakalukufua pea ke tokanga’i ‘a e tapa kotoa, he ‘ikai ha kaha’u lelei ma’a ‘etau fānau mo honau hakó. ‘Oku hoko ‘a e ngaahi mahaki ‘oku ‘ikai ke pipihí ko e pole lahi ia ke ne uesia e anga ‘o e nofó. ‘Oku ‘ikai ko e fiema’u pē ke vahe’i ke to e lahi ange ‘a e pa’anga ki he ngāue ko ení, kā ke ‘oua na’a a’u ki ha ‘aho ‘e uesia ai e kaha’ú ‘i he fiema’u ke fakatonutonu ‘a e ngaahi fehalaaki ‘o e kuohilí na’a tau foua mai. Ko hono fakalea ‘e tahá, ke ‘oua te tau ngāue hala’aki ha pa’anga na’e mei ‘aonga ange ia ki he ako’i ‘o e fānaú, kā kuo fakamole ia ‘i he fiema’u ke mo’ui ma’a mo faka’ehi’ehi.

Ko ia ko e founga pē ke fakasi’isi’i ai e faingata’a ‘o e ngaahi mahaki ‘oku ‘ikai ke pipihí, ko e ako’i ‘o e to’utupú pea ke mo’ui faka’ehi’ehi. Ko e founga ‘e taha ‘e ala ngāue’akí ko e faka’atā ke kau atu ‘a e tangata’i fonua kotoa ki he pa’anga fakafonua ki he vāhenga mālōlō. ‘E lava leva ke fili ‘a e tangata’i fonuá ki he palani ‘o e founga mo’ui leleí ke muimui ki ai pea ka ‘ikai, ko e tō pē ki he nunu’a ‘o e mo’ui mahamahakí.

Na’e ‘i ai e taimi ‘i he kuohilí na’e tu’ukimu’a ai ‘a Tonga ‘i he Pasifikí ‘i he mala’e ‘o e akó, ka ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e holomui ‘a e tu’unga ko ení. ‘Oku fiema’u ke hiki hake ‘a e akó ki ha tu’unga fakatu’apule’anga pea ke fakatokanga’i ‘i Tu’apule’anga. Na’e ‘i ai pē foki mo e taimi na’a tau feinga ai ke a’usia ‘a e tu’unga ma’olunga ‘o e akó, na’e a’usia ‘e hotau feitu’u Pasifiki ni, ka kuo hā mahino mai mei he kāinga Tonga nofo ‘i mulí, ko e ngaahi fiema’u ‘a e ma’u’anga ngāué he ngaahi fonua mulí ‘oku fakatu’apule’anga ia kae ‘ikai ke fakangata ‘i he tu’unga faka-Pasifikí. Ko ia ko e fatongia ia ‘o e Pule’angá ke fakapapau’i ko e tu’unga ‘o e akó ‘o fakatatau ki he laó ‘e lava ke ma’u faingamālie ngāue ai ‘a e Tongá ‘i Tu’apule’anga. Ko ia ‘oku ‘ikai ke totonu ke tau fakangatangata pē ‘a e ngaahi faingamālie ngaué ki hotau feitu’u ni pē.

‘Oku mahu’inga fakatou’osi pē ‘a e ma’u’anga ngāue pea pehē ki he tupu faka’ikonōmika ‘a e fonuá. Ko e toko uaafe tupu ‘oku lava ‘enau akó he ta’u. Ko ia ke tau mātu’aki tokanga ki he ma’u’anga ngāué. ‘Oku mahu’inga ke feongoi ‘a e Pule’angá mo e ngaahi kupu fekau’aki, ke faka’ai’ai ‘a e tupu faka’ekonōmika ‘a e fonua kae ‘ikai ko e liliu fakapalataha pē ‘o e ngaahi tu’unga ngāue, ‘a ia te ne holoki ‘a e fakatupu koloa. ‘Oku fiema’u ke hiki hake ‘a e fakatupu koloa mo e tu’unga faka’ikonōmika ‘o e fonua kae lava ke fakalato ‘a e fiema’u fakapa’anga ke matu’uaki ‘a e ngaahi pole ‘i he kaha’u. Ka ‘oku totonu ke mahino kia kitautolu kae tautefito ki he Pule’anga ‘a e ngaahi makatu’unga ki he fakatupu koloa pea ke ngāue fakataha leva ke fakahoko ‘a e taumu’a ko ia. ‘Oku mahino ‘a e fiema’u ke poupou ki he langa ‘o e tu’unga faka’ekonōmika, ‘a e ngaahi ngāue lalahi fakalotofonua ‘o hangē ko e langa ha toho’anga vaka mo e ngaahi ngāue ki he folau vaka, ke vakavakaua mo e langa lolotonga ‘o e ngaahi taulanga, pea ke tokoni ki he ngaahi vaka toutai fakalotofonua pea mo tu’apule’anga foki.

‘Oku totonu ke ‘i ai ha ngaahi faka’ai’ai ‘o tatau pē ki he kau pisinisi uta koloa ki tu’apule’anga pea pehē ki he kau ngoue pē fakatupu koloa. He ‘ikai lava ke tau fe’auhi mo e ngaahi fonua ‘o māmāni ‘i he lahi ‘o e fonua ‘oku uta, ka ‘oku ‘i ai pē e tefito’i māketi ‘a ia ‘e lelei ai e faingamālie ki he kaha’u. ‘E fiema’u ke fakahoko ha ngāue ke toe vāofi mo lelei ‘a e fetu’utaki mo e ngaahi fonua pē māketi ko eni. Ko e lelei ange ‘o e ola ‘o e toutai mo e fua ‘o e ngoue, ko e lelei ange ia ‘a e totongi ‘e lava ke alea’i ‘o tautefito kapau ko e fua ‘o e ngoue ‘oku faka’okēnika. ‘E toe tokoni lahi eni ke poupou ki he mo’ui lelei ‘a e kakai ‘o e fonua koe’uhī ‘e lahi ange ‘a e faingamālie ke ma’u hangatonu ‘a e ngaahi fua ‘oku maloulau mei he māketi.

Ko e founga ‘e taha ke faka’ai’ai ‘a e fakamāketi, ko e kamata ke ngāue’aki e māketi fakalotofonua ‘a hono fakatau atu ‘o e ika ‘oku kei mo’ui. ‘Oku toe ma’olunga ange foki e totongi ia ‘o e ika ‘i hono fakatau ‘oku kei mo’ui. Kuo lava ‘a e fakalahi ‘o e mala’evakapuna, ko ia ‘e toe lahi ange ‘a e faingamālie ki he uta ‘o e fua ‘o e fonua ki muli ‘i he lava ko ia ke tō ‘i Fua’amotu ‘a e ngaahi vakapuna ‘oku toe lalahi ange. Ko ia ke ngāue fakataha ‘a e Pule’anga mo e ngaahi kupu fekau’aki ki ha founga ke faka’aonga ai ‘a e faingamālie ko eni ke uta ‘a e fua ‘o e fonua.

Ko e taha ‘o e founga ke tau ngāue’aki ke tokoni ki hotau tu’unga faka’ekonōmika pea pehē ki he mo’ui lelei ko e holoki ‘a e hū koloa mei muli kae fakalahi ange ‘a e uta atu ki muli ‘o ‘etau koloa. ‘E lava pē ke fakahoko eni ‘i ha ngāue vāofi ‘a e Pule’anga mo e ngaahi va’a ngāue, kau ai ‘a e kau pisinisi fakataautaha. Fakatātā eni, ‘oku tau ma’u e mahoa’a uite ko e mā. Ka kapau te tau hū mai ‘a e uite ‘o ngaohi pē ‘i Tonga ni ‘a e mahoa’a, ‘e lava ke toe ma’u faingamālie heni ‘a e kau faama monumanu ‘i he ma’u hangatonu ‘o e fafanga kae ‘ikai toe uta mai mei muli. ‘I he taimi tatau ‘oku fie ma’u pē ke tau malu’i ‘etau ngaahi ngāue’anga ‘a ia ‘oku kei langalanga hake. ‘Oku totonu ke tau poupou mo toe langa hake ‘a e uta ‘o e ola ‘o e toutai mo e fua ‘o e fonua.

‘I he’ene pehē ko e ngaahi pole lahi taha ia ‘oku tau fehangahangai mo ia ‘i he ngaahi ‘aho ni ko e fiema’u ‘o e mo’ui lelei, tu’unga ma’olunga ‘o e ako pea mo e tu’unga faka’ekonōmika ‘o e fonua. ‘E lava lelei pē ke tau ngāue ke tokoni’i kitautolu ka ‘oku totonu ke mahino ki hotau loto ‘a e ngaahi makatu’unga ‘e fiema’u ke lava ke vete ai e ngaahi pole ko eni ‘e tolu, pea ke fakahoko leva ha palani ngāue ke liliu ai e tūkunga ko ia ‘o e ‘aho ni. ‘Oku ou talamonū atu pea ‘ofa ke mou ma’u ha to’u fakataha alea ‘e lelei fakalukufua ki he fonua. ‘Ofa atu.

Ngata’anga

 3rd June, 2016 Tonga’s new toll-free 0800 333 Quitline, launched as part of the Tuku Ifi Leva (Quit Smoking Now) campaign on the 31^st of May, has been inundated with calls from smokers throughout Tonga wanting help to quit.

The Quitline provides free advice and support to smokers from Ministry of Health staff trained by Quit Victoria in Australia.

Quitline counselor Tupou Tuilautla said “we have provided counseling to about 18 smokers every day since opening the lines on Wednesday morning. It’s great to see so many people calling to get help to quit smoking for themselves and their families.  Even if people have tried to quit before and been unsuccessful, we can really help them to quit for good”.

46% of men and 13% of women smoke  in Tonga. Up to half of these men and women can be expected to die as a direct result of their smoking habits.

Many Tongans, including children, will suffer diseases, infections, asthma and other serious health complications  including cancer by breathing in other people’s smoke.

Quitline counsellor, Melekaloni ‘Eukaliti, said that people wanted to quit for a range of reasons – but most often for their health, their family and to save money. “One lady I spoke with told me that smoking around her kids had made them sick all the time – and all for nothing when she thought about all the money she wasted on cigarettes instead of their school lunch. She was so surprised when I told her she could save over $3000 every year if she quit”.

Mrs ‘Eukaliti said she had been answering calls and providing counseling to smokers from all over Tonga wanting help to quit for good, including Vava’u, Ha’apai, ‘Eua and Tongatapu. “The Quitline is free for everyone in Tonga to call, which I think has encouraged more people to contact us. We’re happy to help them”.

The toll-free 0800 333 Quitline is open between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.

ENDS

Issued from the Ministry of Health

For further inquiries contact Dr ‘Ofa Tukia,  Medical Officer in Charge, NCD/Health Promotion Unit, Ministry of Health, Vaiola Hospital, Email: o.tukia@gmail.com, Phone: 23200 ext 1219

03rd June 2016 The Department of Environment under the Ministry of MEIDECC, today, launched the National Environment Awareness Week Open Day at the Digicel Square Park.

The National Environment Awareness Week was initiated by the Environment Planning Unit of the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources in 1986 to mark the World Environment Day on June 5^th every year.

Senior Officer from the Environment Department Ms Mafile’o Masi said the National Environment Awareness Week was an important event to raise national awareness about the environment.

“National Environment Awareness Week is commemorated each year on the 1^st week of June. It is the principal vehicle through which the Department of Environment encourages national awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action,” she said.

Mafile’o said the theme for this year’s National Environment Awareness empowered people to be active agents of sustainable development.

“’Conserve our Native Plants and Animals’ provide a human face to environmental issues like empowering people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development.”

According to Mafile’o the theme also promote an understanding that communities were the key to change attitudes towards environmental issues and advocate for more prosperous future.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MEIDECC, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni who was the guest of honor awarded prizes to winners of 5 categories competition.

Seleka Arts Group displayed artwork made out of plastic bottles and shells found at the Fanga’uta Lagoon. They also showcased their artistic skills in the forms of body painting.

Students from the Ocean of Light International also sang songs on how to preserve the environment.

Staff from the Environment Department also displayed reports and pamphlets about the environmental issues in Tonga.

Awarded Prizes in Each Categories

Poem Competition

• Natalie Amone – GPS Mu’a
• Aloisia Kofe – GPS Kanokupolu
• Uilise Kaivelata – GPS Kanokupolu

Essay Competition

• Neomai Pohiva – Queen Salote College

Jingle Competition

• Seleka Arts

Art Competition

• Mele Tava Lomu – Queen Salote College
• Soane Aluesi – Seleka Arts
• Tevita Latu – Seleka Arts
• Taniela Petelo – Seleka Arts

Tree Planting

• Makaunga – Latanoa Vea
• Longoteme – ‘Asela Latu
• Folaha – Sinito Pahulu

END

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

7th June, 2016 On the eve of World Oceans Day, the Pacific Community (SPC) has released a study confirming that wave energy could be a cost-effective energy resource for Pacific Island countries and territories.

Entitled Cost analysis of wave energy in the Pacific, the study analysed wave energy resources in the Pacific and calculated the costs and potential power generation of a wave energy converter in a variety of locations, to determine whether wave energy could be a feasible alternative to fossil fuels.

It identifies most wave energy potential for Pacific Island countries and territories exposed to the southern ocean swells, such as French Polynesia, Tonga, Cook Islands and New Caledonia.

“The best candidates for this renewable energy technology are islands south of latitude 20ºS because they receive substantially more wave energy from southern ocean swells,” SPC Coastal Oceanographer, Dr Cyprien Bosserelle, who led the European Union-funded study.

According to Dr Bosserelle, ocean waves are often cited as an appealing source of renewable energy in the Pacific, yet the costs of purchasing, deploying, operating and maintaining the necessary technology – known as wave energy converters – were previously unknown.

The study finds that the cost of generating energy using waves is on par with other renewable energies, such as wind and solar, and that in some Pacific sites it could compete with the cost of diesel generators.

Dr Bosserelle is presenting the study at the 31^st Science, Technology and Resources (STAR) Conference in Nadi, Fiji, hosted by the Government of Fiji (from 6-8 June) and supported by SPC through its Geoscience Division.

Renewable energy challenges and solutions for the region are also being highlighted today by SPC Deputy Director-General, Cameron Diver, at the Pacific Energy Conference in Auckland, co-hosted by the New Zealand Government and the European Union.

“Filling knowledge gaps to enable innovation and investment in clean energy alternatives is vital  if we are to meet our 2030 ambitions set out in the Sustainable Development Goals,” Mr Diver said.

“This latest SPC study suggests that wave energy is a genuine contender for the development of renewable energy in the Pacific, and provides important data to support decision-making.

“The deployment of wave energy converters in the Pacific could provide an opportunity for the technology to prove itself in the region and attract the attention of investors, policy-makers and decision-makers around the world,” Mr Diver said.

The research was made possible by the ACP Caribbean and Pacific Research Programme for Sustainable Development, funded by the European Union and implemented by the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States.

The Cost analysis of wave energy in the Pacific is available on the following website: http://wacop.gsd.spc.int/WACOP-COE_Wave_Pacific-FINAL.pdf

Media contact: Molly Powers-Tora   Coordinator, Ocean and Tides Knowledge Unit, SPC, mollyp@spc.int or +679 8629655

Useful links:

Cost analysis of wave energy in the Pacific

Star Network

Pacific Energy Conference 2016, Auckland

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Issued by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community

07th June, 2016 “Let us be firm in our resolve that cleaner energy sources not only cut emissions, but brings more jobs, cuts dependency on fossil fuel and improve energy security, contribute to affordability of electricity, and creates a healthier environment for our children and their children’s children”, said Tonga’s Deputy Prime Ministers – the Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni, during his opening of a joint Tonga-SPC  side event meeting in Auckland yesterday on the theme – “Supporting the Implementation of the Pacific Islands Intended National Determined Contributions” .  

The Tonga-SPC side event was held prior to the NZ-EU Pacific Energy Conference which will be held at Auckland today. The side event was an opportunity to assess the progress with the outcomes of the first Pacific Leaders Energy Summit that was held at Nuku’alofa in 2013.

The objective of the side event was to provide a  space to hear about specific programmes, projects and actions of partners and donors in Pacific SIDS that are either planned or ongoing and that need endorsement and support for full implementation in the energy and climate sector of the region.

The side event opened with a welcoming remarks by  Mr Cameron Diver, the Deputy Director General of the Pacific Community. It was followed by the DPM’s opening address and continued with a series of moderated presentations from, and discussions by, energy delegates and power utilities from  Pacific island countries (Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga) and Development Partners (UNFCCC, United Nations Environment Programme, UNDP, NZ MFAT, EU, World Bank, French Embassy, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank).

The Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, Honorable Sovaleni, stressed the importantance of countries to implement their respective INDC’s, and the need to move from INDC to NDC’s. Despite the challenges that Pacific island countries face, decoupling the notion of increased investment in renewable energy will be detrimental for the Pacific economic development. The Deputy Prime Minister continued to stress that cleaner energy sources not only cut emission, but brings more jobs, cuts dependency on fossil fuel and increase energy security, contribute to affordability of electricity, and creates a healthier environment for our children.

The outcome on the Tonga-SPC side event has been submitted to the main Pacific Energy Conference (PEC) that is currently underway at Eden Park in Auckland today Tuesday 7th June 2016. The Conference is co-hosted by the New Zealand Government and the European Union, to follow up on the 2013 Energy Summit and to continue to promote sustainable energy and electricity for all.

The delegation from Tonga was led by Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni and includes government officials as well as representatives from Tonga Power Ltd.

ENDS

Issued from the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

07th June, 2016 European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica has announced EUR 20 million to support sustainable energy and agriculture projects in the Pacific. Commissioner Mimica made the announcement during his opening address at the Pacific Conference on Sustainable Energy and Climate Change in Auckland, New Zealand today.

”I am pleased to announce that to take forward our commitment to supporting investment the EU will make a special allocation of EUR 20 million to the EU Investment Facility for the Pacific to leverage investment projects in sustainable energy and agriculture in the region involving the private sector,” Commissioner Mimica told participants of the conference.

”Agriculture is a key sector for sustainable development in the region. Together with fisheries, agriculture provides the basic livelihood for the majority of the people in the Pacific. Our efforts and partnership to improving access to sustainable energy in the rural areas will no doubt facilitate agricultural growth. But improving energy alone will not be enough. That is why it is important that we support agriculture and rural development also directly,” said Commissioner Mimica.

Commissioner Mimica also announced that the EU will make available a further amount of EUR 14.5 million to support Fiji, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Timor Leste to recover from the severe impacts of El Niño. EUR 5 million will be located to Fiji, while PNG and Timor Leste will receive EUR 3 million and EUR 2 million respectively. EUR 4.5 million is made available for Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.

Commissioner Mimica said the EU jointly with the Pacific have been at the forefront of international efforts to conclude the Paris agreement (international agreement on climate change) and will continue to support its implementation to reduce emissions and build resilience in developing countries, with a special focus on Small Islands Developing States. From 2014-2020, the EU will spend at least EUR 14 billion, an average of 2 billion per year to support activities in developing countries.

ENDS

For further information, contact Mohammed Nazeem Kasim, EU Press Officer, Suva, Fiji, Tel: +679 3313-633 Email: Mohammed-Nazeem.KASIM@eeas.europa.eu or delegation-fiji@eeas.europa.eu

8th June, 2016 New Zealand and the European Union today welcomed the successful conclusion of the Pacific Energy Conference in Auckland which saw donors commit over $1 billion for sustainable energy projects in the Pacific.

“The $635 million committed at the 2013 Pacific Energy Summit has translated into over $900 million of investments across 70 projects,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully says.

“In the same way, I hope to see the $1 billion of commitments announced today increase as opportunities for leverage become apparent and as the ambition of partners grows.

“With the growing role for the private sector and the prospect of access to the UN Green Climate Fund there should be significant potential to further expand our efforts in this area.

“Investments and funding announced today will support Polynesia to achieve more than 50 percent renewable energy by 2024, provide access to electricity for an estimated 1 million people in Melanesia, and help other countries in the region to double their renewable energy generation.

“For our part New Zealand has agreed to provide a further $100 million to energy projects in nine Pacific countries, bringing our total contribution to $220 million,” Mr McCully says.

Investors include conference co-hosts New Zealand and the European Union, and the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

Since 2013, New Zealand and the EU have partnered to deliver renewable energy projects in Tuvalu, Samoa, the Cook Islands and Kiribati. Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development today welcomed the expansion of this partnership.

”I am particularly pleased to have signed today with New Zealand a Joint Declaration of Cooperation on a Pacific Partnership for Sustainable Energy. It signals our commitment to expand the scope of our close cooperation on renewable energy to benefit, among others, Tonga, Niue and Northern Pacific,” Commissioner Mimica says.

“Furthermore this declaration paves the way for the future expansion of the successful EU-New Zealand partnership to fields such as climate change, in accordance with the framework established by the Paris Agreement, and sustainable agriculture, starting with Vanuatu.”

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For further inquiries contact: Adham Crichton 04-817 9598 and 021 241 0027

08th June 2016 The People’s Representative for Tongatapu 9 constituency, Penisimani Fifita was elected yesterday morning as the new chairman of the Whole House Committee.

Fifita won after the Legislative Assembly voted in his favour with 13-9 votes against Vili Hingano of Ha’apai 12 constituency.

Fifita replaced the former chairperson of the Whole House Committee Semisi Sika who was sworn in as the new Minister of Tourism and Infrastructure.

Sika was elected into parliament as Tongatapu Constituency 2 representative in the 2014 general election.

END

Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

8th June 2016 International workshop sightseeing organized for two days.

The workshop was officially opened by the Governor of Vava’u,  Lord Fulivai with the same team who attended the first two days of the workshop in Tonga with local participants from line Ministries, NGO’s and stakeholders.

The training in Vava’u explored mechanisms and approaches for enhancing the participation of non-state actors in the CIF more specifically in the PPCR M&R.

The session focused on soliciting views and perspectives on how to enhance the engagement of stakeholders in the CIP at the country level  (program and projects level and M&R).

A sight visit was conducted to GPS Liviela, Koloa mangrove rehabilitation as well as the Special Management Area in Ovaka Island.

ENDS

Issued by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications

08th June 2016 46% of men and 13% of women in Tonga smoke. These rates are among the highest in the world. It’s estimated that harm caused by Tobacco kills one person every week in Tonga. (source: W.H.O./Tongan Ministry of Health , STEPS report and www.TobaccoAtlas.org))

Tobacco is also the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. It kills half of all long-term smokers. Yes, all these deaths and serious effects of Tobacco consumption can be avoided and eliminated from our daily life, should we wish to…

There are laws in place in the Kingdom of Tonga, to protect the people against this completely avoidable health hazard. In continuation to our special series on the “Tuku ifi Leva” campaign, we have two very significant authorities with us tonight on Tonga Mo’ui Lelei – Dr. Ofa Sanft Tukia from the  NCD-Health promotion Unit of the Ministry of Health and James Lutui, Senior Crown Counsel, from the Attorney General’s office. Get more aware and educated about your rights and duties as citizens on the issue of public as well as private smoking. You can be the change you wish to see.

The campaign “Tuku ifi Leva” (Quit Smoking Now) is a national health promotion campaign highlighting the dangers of Tobacco use and second-hand smoke. This campaign is an initiative of the Ministry of Health, supported and funded by the Government of Tonga, Government of Australia, World Health Organization and TongaHealth. TongaHealth is also funding and coordinating the Monitoring and Evaluation for this campaign. This funding is part of the five year, A$2.1 million dollar (T$3.2 million) agreement, between TongaHealth and the Government of Australia to support the implementation of Tonga’s National NCD Strategy 2015 – 2020.

Tonight Thursday the 9^th of June 2016

7:30pm On TV Tonga 1

Tonga Mo’ui lelei! Mo’ui Lelei, Mo’ui Fiefia!

END’

Issued by: Tonga Health

9th June, 2016 Two weeks of vivid activity celebrating and showcasing the diversity of the Pacific region’s cultural traditions has drawn to a close in Guam.

More than 2,700 artisans, dancers, storytellers, singers, designers and mentors from 25 countries and territories, joined by an estimated 10,000 daily visitors, contributed to the success of the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam.

“Together, we’ve shared some of our culture and discussed the sometimes delicate balance in moving our societies forward, while also preserving our heritage, our land and our seas,” the Governor of Guam, the Hon Eddie Calvo, said during the closing ceremony.

“In line with the theme of this year’s festivities, we took stock of who we are, what we owned and what we shared with one another, to forge a greater bond.

“Our cultures have survived the evolutions of our global and our Pacific community, and they have allowed us to look at the world and remind ourselves that as we create our places in it, we must stay true to who we are and where we come from,” Governor Calvo told the packed stadium.

The Festival hosted a multitude of activities including forums, workshops, conferences and official meetings such as the 27^th Council of Pacific Arts and Culture and Third Pacific Ministers of Culture meetings, enabling artists, administrators, officials, performers and academics to share, exchange and learn from each other.

Representing the Pacific Community (SPC), the Festival custodian, the Director of SPC’s Social Development Programme, Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago-Elisara, acknowledged the tireless efforts of the FestPAC Organising Committee, the support staff and the warmth of the people of Guam.

“In the past few weeks, we overcame our own individual differences and became united as we kept our focus on our purpose to retain and sustain Pacific arts and culture, and we’ve been able to do that through the kind assistance of our hosts, the people of Guam,” Ms Toelupe Tago-Elisara said.

“We have been overwhelmed with your gracious hospitality and your generosity.

“We commend you for a job well done, and I imagine our colleagues in Hawai’i already have a challenge to maintain the standard of delivery you have set.

“To the heads of delegations and all the participants of FestPAC, your presence has encouraged us and confirmed the value of this regional event.

“May you all sail back to your homes in calm waters and may you all stem the wind like a bird, until we meet again at FestPAC 2020,” Ms Toelupe Tago-Elisara said, quoting a Samoan proverb Ia vivili faamanu o matagi.

 The closing ceremony in which Guam presented gifts to the departing delegations, included the handover of the 2016 Festival flag to Hawai’i which will host the Festival in June 2020. The theme for FestPAC 2020 in Hawai’i is E kū I ka hoe uli (take hold of the steering paddle).

SPC, as custodian of the Festival, will support Hawai’i steer towards FestPAC 2020.

Media contact:

Lauren Robinson SPC Media Relations, laurenr@spc.int or +679 337 9250

Useful links:

Replay livestream of the closing ceremony

12^th Festival of Pacific Arts official website

SPC’s technical assistance for FestPAC 2016

ENDS

Issued from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community

9th June, 2016 The “Tongan Village” at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii has been re-modeled with a grand opening to take place on Saturday, 11 June, 2016.

Their Majesties, King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u will be the Guests of Honour at this prestigious occasion. This has been confirmed by the Palace Office.

Representing the Prime Minister and the Government of Tonga is the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Semisi Kioa Lafu Sika.

The Polynesian Cultural Centre was established on 12 October, 1963, and has become one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations in Hawaii and America. The Centre features six Polynesian Villages including Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga where hourly performances and cultural learning experiences take place in each village. Tourists and visitors from all walks of life visit the Centre where the cultures of Polynesia are presented and demonstrated in one venue. This model has been considered a very effective way to safeguard and promote the Pacific’s rich cultural heritage and advocate peace building through inter-cultural expressions.

The Ministry of Tourism recognizes the important role that the Centre provides in safeguarding and promoting our Tongan culture and other cultures that will contribute significantly to Tourism development in the Pacific region.

ENDS

Issued from the Ministry of Tourism

9th June, 2016 On 9 June 2016, Tonga and China signed the Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Ordinary Passport Holders in Nuku’alofa, the Kingdom of Tonga.

Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga and H.E. Mr. Huang Huaguang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Tonga jointly singed the Agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade earlier this afternoon.

According to the Agreement, citizens from China and Tonga shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry into, from or transit through the territory of the other for a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. If the citizens stay longer than 30 days or engaged in study, residence or employment, it shall be approved in advance.

The agreement would enter into force after the domestic requirements have been complied with. In 2012, China and Tonga had signed similar agreement that focused on visa exemption for Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports and Passports for Public Affairs.

After the ceremony, Hon. ’Akilisi Pohiva said, “this is indeed a milestone in Tonga-China relation as it further promote our friendly association, boosts tourism and other related sectors, contributes to the growth of the economy and facilitates our people-to-people exchanges.”

H.E. Mr. Huang agreed that the Agreement would further facilitate the exchange of visits by our citizens and is a new achievements of China-Tonga cooperation. He also mentioned that China is now the largest tourism market in the world and the Agreement would further promote the tourism cooperation between two countries.

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Issued from the Embassy of China in the Kingdom of Tonga, P.O. Box 877 Vuna Road, Telephone：00676-24554, Fax: 00676-24595, Email：jiaxiaopan@gmail.com

9th June, 2016 Online Agriculture Policy Banks are ushering in a new era of access to information that is benefitting individual producers and promoting growth in the Pacific region’s agricultural sector.

 At a recent workshop in Suva, organised by the European Union-supported Pacific Agriculture Policy Project and the Pacific Community (SPC), countries heard how Agriculture Policy Banks are already delivering significant benefits.

Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, who were among the first countries to trial and launch these Banks in the past six months, recounted that these Banks enabled them to communicate and transmit agriculture policy documents easily to other government departments, businesses, farmers and development partners.

Mark Vurobaravu, who manages the Policy Bank at the Vanuatu Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, stated that “this Bank has already made our work easier engaging with stakeholders and has freed-up time enabling us to start translating our documents also to Bislama and French. All documents are in the Bank and available to everyone.”

Representatives from 10 Pacific countries, including farmer organisations, regional development partners and private sector organisations, gathered recently at SPC to help build Agriculture Policy Banks for their countries and to discuss and design mechanisms for stronger regional information exchange and national outreach.

Opening the workshop, Dr Audrey Aumua, Deputy Director General of SPC stated, “it was very positive to note that the important agriculture sector was leveraging on information and communication technology and knowledge management to help develop the important agricultural sector.”

“Repositories of policy information or Policy Banks for 15 ACP countries, including Timor-Leste, are now available online, meaning anyone from anywhere can access these documents,” Dr Aumua said.

The week culminated in a showcase of the new Policy Banks to various development partners, private sector representatives and Suva-based diplomatic missions.

Pacific countries will now focus on a number of agreed actions to further build the momentum of these knowledge management initiatives. These included the design of national outreach plans and initiatives to promote regional complementary work.

It is intended that this work will be presented to the SPC and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Ministers of Agriculture meeting scheduled during the first-ever Pacific Week of Agriculture, to be held in Vanuatu in May 2017.

The Deputy Chief of Mission for the Federated States of Micronesia, Wilson F. Waguk, and H.E. Roving Ambassador Corporate Matai Kaukilakeba from the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation were also present at the showcase.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the French Embassy to Fiji, Jules Irrmann, who officiated at the showcase, stated that such portals encourage complementary efforts and the need for countries to work together to promote the agriculture sector.

“Agriculture is a very important topic here. With the e-agriculture policy bank, I was very impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Each time you want to make a policy you can check what the other countries are doing,” Mr Irrmann stated.

“It is very important for the farmers to have direct access to those documents. Instead of taking hours to go to ministries and get the results – now they can receive them on their mobile phone,” he added.

SPC’s Agricultural Policy Adviser, Vili Caniogo, who is helping lead this work at SPC, stated that the Policy Banks not only provide easy public access to a range of information, but are a vital tool enabling further complementary work among regions.

He stated that countries and development partners had talked about collaboration in the sector for a long time but often were hampered by the lack of a tool or a medium to facilitate this. He noted that a key aim of the Policy Banks was to provide a simple tool to facilitate this.

This work is funded by the European Union Pacific Agriculture Policy Project, the Pacific component of the Intra-ACP Agricultural Policy Program (APP), which targets the Pacific and Caribbean regions. The Netherlands-based Centre for Technical Cooperation for Agriculture (CTA) is a project partner.

The European Union is supporting Pacific countries through the Pacific Community (SPC) to better organise agricultural policy and planning information by making information widely accessible to all stakeholders.

The Agriculture Policy Banks can be accessed via the PAFPnet website: www.spc.int/pafpnet

ENDS

 Media contact:

Ms Salome Tukuafu – Information and Communications Management Officer, SPC Pacific Agriculture Policy Project (PAPP), SalomeT@spc.int

Technical contacts:

Ms Anju Mangal – Knowledge Management Specialist, SPC Pacific Agriculture Policy Project (PAPP), Anjum@spc.int